The Internet has become almost as necessary for homeowners as electricity and indoor plumbing. As of 2022, 91.2% of U.S. households reported paying for internet connectivity. Homeowners can choose from various types of internet services, including broadband options like cable, DSL, satellite, fixed wireless, and fiber-optic. With all these options available, what makes fiber internet speed the best choice, and how much speed do you need?
What is Fiber Internet?
Fiber internet is a high-speed internet service that uses fiber-optic cables to transmit data as pulses of light. This fiber internet speed allows for significantly faster download and upload speeds than traditional internet connections. Fiber-optic cables are made of thin strands of glass or plastic, capable of transmitting data over long distances without losing signal quality, making fiber internet ideal for activities that require significant bandwidth, such as streaming 4K videos, online gaming, and video conferencing.
In contrast, cable internet uses coaxial cables, which are also used for cable television. While cable internet can provide high speeds, especially for downloads, it often experiences slower upload speeds and can be affected by network congestion, as bandwidth is shared among users in the same area.
DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) Internet uses existing telephone lines to deliver internet service. Although it is more widely available than fiber and often cheaper, DSL generally offers lower speeds than fiber and cable, making it less suitable for bandwidth-intensive activities.
On the other hand, satellite internet relies on communication satellites to provide connectivity. It has often been the only option for rural or remote areas, but it suffers from high latency and data caps, making it less ideal for real-time applications like gaming or video calls. Fiber internet’s superior speed and reliability make it the preferred choice where available.
How Much Speed Do You Need?
As consumers adopt more devices that rely on the Internet, the need for more speed (often called bandwidth, although not exactly the same) has grown tremendously.
Internet speed is measured in bits per second. Mbps (megabits per second) and Gbps (gigabits per second) are units of measurement for data transfer speed. One gigabit (Gbps) is equal to 1,000 megabits (Mbps). These units indicate how quickly data is transferred over a network, affecting how fast you can download or upload information online
Following are standard recommendations for how much speed you need based on household use or by the number of internet users in your home:
| Internet Download Speed | Household Uses of the Internet: | Number of Internet Users in the Home: |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5 Mbps | – Checking email – Streaming music on one device – Basic Internet Searches on Google |
1–2 people |
| 5–40 Mbps | – Streaming video/television on one device – Video conferencing with Skype or FaceTime on one device |
3–4 people |
| 40–100 Mbps | – Streaming video/television on a few devices – Multiplayer online gaming – Downloading large files |
5–7 people |
| 100–500 Mbps | – Streaming video in UHD on multiple devices – Downloading files quickly – Gaming online for multiple players |
8–10 people |
| 500 Mbps to 1Gbps or more | – Using multiple devices for a variety of needs, including working, attending online classes, watching videos, and streaming music – Uploading videos or large files – Video conferencing without lags |
More than 10 people |
Here’s another interesting way to see how fast fiber internet speed is. An average HD movie file is about 4GB. Let’s say you wanted to download one to your hard drive. Here’s how long it would take:
- Old School Dial-Up: 10 days or more.
- DSL: Somewhere between a few hours and half a day.
- Cable: Anywhere from 1 minute to half a day.
- Fiber Internet: Less than 1 minute.
How Fast is Your Current Internet Speed?
It’s easy to measure your current internet speed. Before you begin, review these factors that can impact your test results:
- Ethernet Versus Wi-Fi. For the best results, plug the computer you will use to conduct the test directly into the router with an ethernet cable. Performing a speed test via Wi-Fi will not show the full capacity of your internet connection. Hard-wired tests yield the most accurate results.
- Activity. During the test, do not download any files or use the Internet for other activities that might use bandwidth. For accurate results, run the test without other programs running in the background.
- Consider your Devices. Different devices can yield different results. Older devices, for example, might not be able to measure the full speed of your internet connection. If one device shows slower speeds than expected, run the test on a newer device. Older or outdated equipment might not support higher speeds, so it is essential to ensure your devices are updated or replaced if necessary.
- Server Choice. The test will automatically select the optimal server for your location. If you want to test your speeds on another server, you can change it. It is important, however, to be aware that the results may vary depending on your distance from the server you’ve selected.
- Web Browser. Sometimes, even your web browser can affect your speed test results. Don’t be afraid to run the test on both Chrome and Safari!
Next, take our simple internet speed test. All you have to do is click the link and wait for the results. If you connect via Wi-Fi, your results will differ depending on your location and distance from the router.
What’s the Difference Between Download, Upload, and Symmetrical Fiber Internet Speed
Download and upload speeds refer to the rate at which data is transferred to and from your internet-connected devices. Download speed measures how quickly you can receive data from the Internet, such as streaming videos, browsing websites, or downloading files. Upload speed, however, measures how quickly you can send data to the Internet, such as uploading photos, sending emails, or participating in video calls.
Many internet service providers (ISPs) primarily promote download speeds because most online activities require more downloading than uploading. Users typically consume more content than they produce, making download speed a more significant factor in daily internet use. As a result, ISPs often focus on download speeds in their marketing to appeal to the majority of consumers who prioritize streaming and browsing capabilities. If you look at your current internet speed, you may see that your download speed is dramatically greater than your upload speed.
Symmetrical speeds, common with fiber internet, provide equal download and upload speeds. This feature is particularly beneficial for activities that require uploading, such as video conferencing, online gaming, and cloud storage. Symmetrical speeds ensure a smoother and more efficient internet experience for tasks that involve high data transfers in both directions. Fiber internet’s ability to offer symmetrical speeds makes it superior to other types of connections, especially for users who work from home, engage in content creation, or need reliable high-speed uploads.
Is Fiber Internet Speed Faster than Cellular Wireless 5G?
Fiber internet and cellular wireless 5G are high-speed internet technologies, but they differ significantly in speed, reliability, and application. Fiber-optic Internet transmits data using light signals through thin strands of glass or plastic, offering speeds that can reach up to 1 Gbps (1,000 Mbps) or even higher, with symmetrical upload and download speeds. This makes fiber-optic Internet one of the fastest and most reliable internet options available, ideal for high-bandwidth activities like streaming ultra-high-definition (UHD) video, online gaming, and large data transfers.
On the other hand, 5G is the fifth generation of cellular network technology, offering significant improvements over its predecessor, 4G LTE. 5G speeds can theoretically reach up to 10 Gbps, but actual speeds vary based on location, network congestion, and proximity to a 5G tower. While 5G can provide high-speed Internet, it is more susceptible to interference and signal degradation over distance, especially in areas with dense buildings or obstructions.
Fiber internet typically provides more consistent and reliable speeds than 5G, especially for home and business use.
Choose Hunter Communications for the most reliable, high-speed fiber internet service.
At Hunter, we know your internet needs are bound to grow. We want to set you up to have strong internet service now and into the future. That’s why we have some of the best internet plans designed to fit your household’s needs, including symmetrical fiber internet speeds. We offer competitive, affordable pricing without hidden fees or tricky contracts.
Want to see which of Hunter’s fiber internet packages is best for your household’s needs? You’ll be surprised at how affordable, reliable, and fast your internet connection can be!
Are you ready to make the switch to Hunter Communications? Check your address here to see if you’re already in one of our fiberhoods. If you’re not, leaving your contact information with us helps our teams figure out where to expand next.